5 Yummy Foods Your Heart Craves

5 Yummy Foods Your Heart Craves

By JJ VIRGIN

We spend so much time focusing on the foods we want to eliminate from our diets, but what should you add to your plate for good health? Let's start by focusing on our tickers. Women pay so little attention to heart disease, the leading cause of death in females. Here are five of my favorite foods to eat to help lower your risk.

*Steel cut oatmeal. The high fiber content can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. Top it with some chopped nuts and a little cinnamon for better blood sugar control. *Wild Salmon. This fabulous protein source is loaded with hearth healthy Omega-3 fatty acids AND great antioxidants.
*Almonds. They're a great snack and packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitami
E, fiber and phytosterols that can help block cholesterol absorption. You can easily put them in a baggie and keep them on you as a healthy treat when you have to go too many hours between meals.
*Blueberries. They're low on the glycemic index and high on fiber content and loaded with great antioxidants.

*Dark chocolate. You will need to practice portion control here BUT just three polite bites of dark chocolate(1-2 ounces) gives you a health boost for your heart because it's packed with antioxidants in the form of cocoa phenols (flavonoids). Dark chocolate can even lower blood pressure by producing more nitric oxide and support healthy cholesterol levels. Look for 70 percent (or higher) cocoa.